Re: [Leica] Enlarging lens recommendation

[Dennis Painter <dpainter@bigfoot.com>]

Thanks for a very informative post!

Anderson, Ferrel E wrote:
> 
> Dennis asked what the difference is between the older 50mm f2.8 El Nikor and the
> new version.  two years ago I was looking for a new lens/enlarger combination
> because I wanted to get into using variable contrast and color papers.  I had a
> Focomat 1C without the filter drawer above the condenser (it was not the 1C
> Color version), and I used it to test the Leica 50mm f4.5 Focotar and Focotar-2
> lenses, the older and the new 50mm f2.8 El Nikors and the 50mm f2.8 Schneider
> Componon.
> 
> The older Nikor has a rear element that is about 1/2 the diameter of the front
> element, whereas the new (current) Nikor has a rear element that is about the
> same size as the front element.  It is truly an f2.8 lens on a diffusion
> enlarger, whereas the older one is not, but it is on a condenser enlarger.  On a
> condenser enlarger the condenser focuses (i.e., condenses) the light onto the
> rear element of the enlarging lens, so that the old Nikor is an f2.8 lens on a
> condenser enlarger.  Anyway, the old Nikor is much better than the new Nikor on
> the Focomat 1c in terms of contrast and color fringing at f5.6 and smaller
> apertures.  I would not use the new one on the Focomat or any other condenser
> enlarger.  I think the old Nikor was designed for condenser enlargers and the
> new Nikor is designed for diffusion enlargers.  The Leica Focotar-2 is the best
> of the lot listed above both in terms of resolution, contrast, color fringing
> and performance at higher magnifications (larger prints) and at smaller
> apertures (f11 & 16).  And it allows autofocusing on the Leica enlargers (even
> the V35 can be modified for it).  The older Nikor and the older Focotar are
> about the same in performance at f5.6 and f8, where you should use them, and can
> be recommended without reservation (except that there is a better alternative in
> the Focotar-2) for use on condenser enlargers, and probably diffusion enlargers.